The K Series from LG was introduced last year for mid-range buyers. Now, in 2017, LG has launched a successor to the top-of-the-line model in the K series, K10. It has the necessary hardware and software updates compared to the previous version. Like its predecessor, the LG K10 (2017) continues with an all-plastic design. The only advantage from this is that you get a removable battery — a feature some people still appreciate. You would think that plastic makes it lighter, but the K10 weighs about the same as metal phones from competitors.

LG has added faux brushed metal on the back panel for a more premium appearance. We liked the durability of the device: it survived a few drops and bumps with ease (and without leaving a mark). Since the phone has a 5.3-inch display, it is fairly compact and thus easy to hold. This means even one hand operation is possible for a majority of functions. One big addition is the fingerprint scanner on the back that also doubles up as a power button — the scanner works great and recognized a fingerprint 9 out of 10 times.

The 5.3-inch display is bright with vivid colours and excellent viewing angles. What we did not like was that it still had a 1280 x 720 pixels resolution. Considering that most phones above `10k now offer full HD displays, this is a letdown. The saving grace is that for smaller displays like this, you typically can’t make out the difference unless kept side-by-side.

Inside is an octa core Mediatek MT6750 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage (expandable). This hardware is good enough for most basic use but the phone struggles to smoothly play a simple game like Subway Surfer if there are multiple apps in the background. Battery lasts from 9am to 5pm on a full charge — so it does need a mid-day pickup. Considering that you can get the Redmi Note 4 with Snapdragon 625, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, full HD screen, IR emitter, full metal unibody and 4000mAh battery for the same price, the LG K10 specs seem like a bad joke.

On the rear is a 13MP camera with f2.2 aperture and a LED flash. In daylight, the camera takes great photos — sharp details and natural colours. Autofocus and shutter speed is also impressive. However, in low light and indoors, images lose details and suffer from visible noise. The front camera is above average performer and has a trick up its sleeve — it has a 120-degree wide angle mode built-in which is great for taking group selfies.

One of the big features of the LG K10 is that it comes out of the box with Android 7.0. LG runs its own custom UI on top but you still get all the Android 7.0’s new features including multi window, improved multi-tasking, richer notifications etc. LG has also baked-in an SOS feature for safety that places a call to the emergency number 112. The trouble is that considering the immense competition in this price segment, LG has brought out a new phone that already feels a generation old. You can literally get the same hardware for half the price. If you can spend this much, you will probably want a metal unibody, larger full HD display, better cameras and better battery life. Competition like Redmi Note 4, Honor 6X and Coolpad Cool 1 come to mind.

Jio’s Rs 2,399 annual plan offers 2GB per day data that costs effectively Rs 200 per month. It also offers unlimited voice and SMS. Airtel and Vodafone Idea’s Rs 2398 and Rs 2399 annual plans, on the other hand, offer 1.5GB per day data along with unlimited voice and SMS